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CLAYTON, MO (KTVI-FOX2now.com) -
St. Louis County council members took their first step toward putting a countywide smoking ban on the November ballot, despite opposition from the county executive. "I think this is an opportunity for St. Louis County to lead the way," says council member Barbara Fraser, who is proposing putting the issue to a referendum. But some say the county should be led by the state.
"Well the county executive's position is he thinks the best way to approach this issue is with a ban on smoking statewide," says Michael Jones, the Senior Policy Advisor for St. Louis County.
Tuesday night was the first discussion of Fraser's proposal. Only two members of the public spoke during the meeting. One was in favor and one was opposed. If council approves the proposed referendum, every voter in every municipality would vote on the issue November 3.
It would mean all restaurants and bars in St. Louis County would have the same smoking rules. But that would only be municipalities inside the county, not out. County Executive Charlie Dooley does not like that establishments in St. Louis County could be forced to ban smoking, while establishments in St. Charles County or Jefferson County could still allow it. Dooley wants each Missouri county to be equal.
"And that way in terms of enforcement and equity of treatment, it's the same all over," says Jones. "There are probably close to thirty states now with that. Everybody from our neighbor in Illinois and Arkansas to North Carolina, which is kind of like one of the major tobacco producing states in America."
Fraser supports a ban, and she believes St. Louis County would become a model for the state.
"I just believe the time has come for the council to deal with this issue and have the opportunity to give the public the right to vote on it," she says.
Discussion will likely continue at the next council meeting, Tuesday July 28.
"Well the county executive's position is he thinks the best way to approach this issue is with a ban on smoking statewide," says Michael Jones, the Senior Policy Advisor for St. Louis County.
Tuesday night was the first discussion of Fraser's proposal. Only two members of the public spoke during the meeting. One was in favor and one was opposed. If council approves the proposed referendum, every voter in every municipality would vote on the issue November 3.
It would mean all restaurants and bars in St. Louis County would have the same smoking rules. But that would only be municipalities inside the county, not out. County Executive Charlie Dooley does not like that establishments in St. Louis County could be forced to ban smoking, while establishments in St. Charles County or Jefferson County could still allow it. Dooley wants each Missouri county to be equal.
"And that way in terms of enforcement and equity of treatment, it's the same all over," says Jones. "There are probably close to thirty states now with that. Everybody from our neighbor in Illinois and Arkansas to North Carolina, which is kind of like one of the major tobacco producing states in America."
Fraser supports a ban, and she believes St. Louis County would become a model for the state.
"I just believe the time has come for the council to deal with this issue and have the opportunity to give the public the right to vote on it," she says.
Discussion will likely continue at the next council meeting, Tuesday July 28.
